Ann Arbor Affordable Housing Statement
Jesse Bernstein, President & CEO
March 24, 2008
The people who lived at the "Y" should have a place to live and
supportive services so they can live the fullest life possible.
Requiring that 100 rooms be replaced at the "Y" site just because
this was the previous location of their residence is a disservice
to these people and the community.
Much has changed since the decision was made to continue
providing 100 SRO units on the "Y" site.
With our deepest appreciation to many citizens and
organizations, our community is developing a plan to end
homelessness as soon as possible. Robert Chapman, President and
Chair of United Bancorp and Chair of the United Way Board is
chairing a county-wide committee to develop a plan to provide
sustained funding for supportive services to those who are homeless
or in danger of becoming homeless. Community leaders and providers
of service to the homeless are committed to finalizing a plan by
July.
The United Way has changed its allocation process to focus of
several goals, one of which is housing. Data will be gathered on
the needs of the citizens of the county. Programs to meet those
needs, with clear measures for accountability and outcomes, will
form the basis of requests for proposals from service
providers.
There is a growing recognition that improved public
transportation is a requirement if our county is to prosper and
provide jobs and support for all our citizens. The city is looking
at 4 alternative plans for public transportation. AATA is
continually evaluating its service and anticipating the needs of
the area. Discussions about north-south and east-west rail service
is on-going. Additional options and initiatives are in the early
stages of discussion.
Construction costs in the downtown area can be 2-3 times higher
than in other parts of the city. With the approval of the parking
deck beneath the library lot, there are more options of how that
part of downtown can be developed.
With this set of factors in play and since there will be a delay
of many months to years before any housing is available at the "Y"
site, it makes sense to look for the best possible situation to
house the former "Y" tenants. Let us utilize the resources of the
newly formed committee and United Way to study the needs of the
residents and find financially viable housing locations then
provide the services needed to support these people._
P_leas_e__do_not_hinder_thedevelopment ofdowntown_ or put people
in_aJiving situation that does not meet their needs by recommending
the continued requirement that the "Y" site continue to house its
former tenants.
